Staff
Dr Maggie Gregson Co-Director
Maggie Gregson is a Principal Lecturer in Teacher Education in the cat the University of Sunderland. Her research and practice focuses upon the role of enquiry in developing pedagogy and professional learning in the Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) sector.
She has a particular interest in the potential of thinking skills interventions to stimulate and support the development of teaching, thinking and the improvement of classroom practice.
Her research has also involved investigating theories and taxonomies of thinking and learning, evaluating thinking skills interventions in schools and PCET contexts and the evaluation of the impact of Learning and Skills Council Policy upon teaching learning and inclusion in the sector, particularly in relation to the teaching of adult literacy and numeracy.
As part of her work as a Director of the University of Sunderland Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (SUNCETT) she in currently involved in researching notions of 'best practice' and the development of innovative approaches to the initial and continuing professional development of teachers in PCET.
Ms Trish Spedding Co-Director
Trish Spedding is a Senior Lecturer in Post Compulsory Education and Training in the Faculty of Education and Society at the University of Sunderland. She has worked on the development and delivery of both, pre-service and in-service ITE courses.
Her main research interests centre around innovative and creative practice, assessment for learning and issues on the impact of policy upon practice in Further Education and Adult and Community Education. As part of her work in the Centre for Teacher Education and Research she has been involved in a number of regional and national research projects concerned with the development of learner identity, offender education and the evaluation of thinking skills and creative teaching in schools and colleges.
Most recently she has been a key member of an EPPI research team investigating practitioner's perceptions of policy and the ways in which policy is implemented in their practice. She is Secretary for the International Association of Cognitive Education and Psychology.
As part of her work as a Director of the University of Sunderland Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (SUNCETT), she is currently involved in researching the development of approaches to the initial and continuing professional development of teachers in Post Compulsory Education and Training, teacher and learner identity and creative pedagogy.
Ms Cath Jackson Advanced Practitioner
Cath Jackson is an Advanced Practitioner at the University of Sunderland's Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (SUNCETT). An English graduate with a PGCE and MEd in Special Needs/Inclusive Education, she has 18 years of experience teaching in the post compulsory sector. She has developed subject expertise across a range of English and Literacy related contexts, including GCSE and A Level English Language, ESOL and Skills for Life.
Most recently she has been involved in Post Compulsory Education and Training, delivering the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education and subject specialist CPD qualifications in Adult Literacy. She has held coordinator and line management roles in Further Education, and is an adjudicator for SVUK's Professional Recognition scheme. She maintains close links with the secondary schools sector through her role as school governor.
Currently working towards her PhD, she is researching pedagogy in the context of adult literacy. She is particularly interested in exploring innovative ways of delivering the minimum core of literacy, numeracy and ICT in generic teacher education.
Ms Kate Duffy Advanced Practitioner
Kate Duffy is an advanced practitioner with SUNCETT and has been teaching in PCET and Work based learning providers for 11 years.
With a focus on embedding Key Skills into subjects, Kate led projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing the Key Skill learning experience for challenging and 'hard to reach' students aged 14-19.
In her role as curriculum development co-ordinator at Gateshead College, Kate developed practice across the college that would support teachers to develop critical and creative thinking, active learning, positive behaviour and emotional and social literacy for their students.
Kate is an accomplished learning coach and has supported teacher's skill development in this area for the college and as Subject Learning Coach with QIA. Kate has taught the Diploma in Professional Learning and Development and as tutor on the BA (Hons) Education and Training with Sunderland University and is committed to ensuring that IIT/Teacher CPD is both challenging to teachers while supporting reflection that is key for sustaining lasting development.
Kate has been a trustee for the charity SAPERE (Society for Advancement in Philosophical Enquiry and Reflection in Education) for 3½ years. She strongly believes in the principles and practice of philosophical enquiry and encouraging dialogue in education to develop thinking skills in our learners and teachers. It is through dialogue that people interpret meaning and deep learning is achieved. Kate is looking forward to working alongside the SUNCETT partners in developing learning and teaching in PCET Initial Teacher Training.
Mr Mark Hudson Teaching Fellow
Mark Hudson is a newly appointed teaching fellow at the University of Sunderland's Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (SUNCETT). He recently completed a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET), where the bulk of his teaching experience was in the community education sector. Having entered university through the Access route himself, his main research interest is adults in continuing education and lifelong learning, and the motivations and barriers that shape their experiences.
As a fellow for SUNCETT, Mark will be contributing to research on the initial and continuing professional development of teachers in PCET, as well as supporting and mentoring student teachers. He feels that SUNCETT will give him an excellent opportunity to broaden his own teaching experience and professional development.
Mr Michael Atkinson Teaching Fellow
Michael Atkinson is a Teaching Fellow at the Faculty of Education and Society at the University of Sunderland. Following many years in industry he made his way into teaching via the FE access route. After completing a degree in Philosophy and a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education (PCET), Michael has worked in a Sixth Form College teaching Critical Thinking and Philosophy at A Level and Access Level, as well as being an examiner for the AQA exam board. During this time he has developed an interest in promoting philosophical enquiry within the classroom to enhance and deepen the experience of learners.
His role within the University of Sunderland Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (SUNCETT) will involve research; providing coaching, support and advice to teacher educators, mentors and trainee teachers. Michael sees the Fellowship as an excellent opportunity to pursue a structured route into becoming a first-rate teacher educator, and to develop his understanding of pedagogical theory and practice. Michael is looking forward to sharing his experience, knowledge and research with other colleagues in the sector across the North East of England. He is particularly interested in contemporary theories of Work-Based Learning and innovative approaches to employer engagement.
Mr Steven Fletcher Teaching Fellow
Steven Fletcher is a Teaching Fellow at the University of Sunderland's Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (SUNCETT). Having graduated with a degree in law, he was keen to further his education by gaining a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education and Training and a Level 4 Certificate for Adult Numeracy Subject Specialist qualification at the University of Sunderland, in order to fulfil his ambition of teaching in the post-16 sector.
Since qualifying, Steven has enjoyed success as a Skills for Life Tutor working for Springboard Sunderland Trust, teaching both literacy and numeracy to adults of all ages and abilities, ranging from New Deal Learners to E2E Learners and Modern Apprentices, throughout Sunderland and South Tyneside. This experience has allowed Steven to further develop his interests in creating an active learning environment in the classroom through guided discovery, something he hopes to explore further through his role with SUNCETT.
One of Steven's main responsibilities within SUNCETT, will be to plan and deliver sessions on the PGCE (PCET) programme at the University, a position he hopes will allow him to encourage prospective teachers to think critically and reflectively on their own practice, in a caring and supportive environment, with the aim of progressing teaching and learning in post-16 education throughout the North East of England.
Mr Killian McCartney Research Development Fellow
Killian McCartney is a Research Fellow at Sunderland University's Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (SUNCETT). Having qualified in History and Politics, he went on to complete a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education (PCET) with Sunderland University. Killian has worked, at different times, within City Learning Centres, Adult Education Centres, schools and for Northumberland County Council as tutor in Education Other Than At School (EOTAS).
With teaching experience from primary to adult levels, he was appointed as Research Fellow to advance the research of SUNCETT as well as to explore his own research interests. SUNCETT has the capability to alter post-compulsory education for the better and Killian believes he can be a valued part of it.
He has particular interests in comparisons of best practice in teacher training between England and countries which offer an alternative model of 'best practice'. Currently working towards a Masters in Advancing Pedagogy within Sunderland University, Killian hopes to improve his own knowledge of excellence in teacher training whilst becoming an experienced and skilled researcher himself.
Ms Rosie Spedding Action Research Network Development Co-ordinator
Ms Clare Kerr Mentoring & Work Based Learning Network Development Co-ordinator
